x

75% of people globally want unbiased news (Pew Research) but are concerned they're not getting that.

Get balanced coverage with Symby. See how stories are covered across diverse outlets and spot when one side covers a story the other skips.

PODCAST

Crossroads + Catalysts: Leadership & Career Strategy for Directors and Managers

Feeling stuck in your career? Passed over for promotion? Struggling with leadership challenges that no one prepared you for? You're not alone—and you don't have to navigate these crossroads by yourself. Crossroads & Catalysts is the executive leadership podcast for directors, senior managers, and ambitious professionals ready to advance their careers with strategic clarity and confidence. Shenita Brown, an executive and leadership strategist, delivers actionable career advice, proven

business careers

All Episodes

17:10

When Leadership Finds You - But you didn’t Choose it:...

Crossroads + Catalysts: Leadership & Career Strategy... ·

2026/01/05

Not everyone who becomes a leader actively pursues the role. In this episode, we explore the critical difference between circumstantial leadership and deliberate leadership—and why understanding which path you're on matters for your success and satisfaction.If you were promoted into management because of your technical skills, seniority, or simply because a position opened up, you might be a circumstantial leader navigating challenges you never anticipated. From people management struggles to

en

24:27

Is Your Leadership Style Characterized by These 3...

Crossroads + Catalysts: Leadership & Career Strategy... ·

2025/12/29

Are you a director or manager struggling with team retention, low morale, or leadership challenges you can't quite pinpoint? In this episode, I break down the three core patterns of bad boss behavior that drive good employees away—and explore whether these patterns might be showing up in your own leadership style.Whether you've been passed over for promotion, are facing leadership development gaps, or find yourself at a career crossroads, understanding these patterns is essential for

en

19:44

The Indispensability Tax: Why Never Taking Time Off...

Crossroads + Catalysts: Leadership & Career Strategy... ·

2025/12/22

In this episode, we're talking about The Indispensability Tax—the hidden cost leaders pay when they refuse to take time off. If you're skipping vacations, struggling with vacation guilt, and wearing your exhaustion like a trophy, you're not building loyalty or proving your value. You're creating a fragile organization and fast-tracking leadership burnout.Here's the uncomfortable truth: your "dedication" might be insecurity in disguise. Your refusal to take PTO is teaching

en

16:19

New Year, New Leadership Clarity: Why You Might Want...

Crossroads + Catalysts: Leadership & Career Strategy... ·

2025/12/15

New Year, New Leadership Clarity: Why You Might Want to Quit Leading As the year winds down, it's time for honest reflection: Why do you really want to be a leader? This episode challenges you to look beyond the romanticized version of leadership examine your true motivations. Leadership is a responsibility that will stretch and shape you. Whether you're considering your first management role or eyeing executive leadership, this is your moment to pause and ask the hard questions. What does

en

17:40

Leadership Lesson: Psychological Safety Saves Lives —...

Crossroads + Catalysts: Leadership & Career Strategy... ·

2025/12/08

Leadership Lesson: Psychological Safety Saves Lives -And It Can Save Your Workplace Too If your team avoids speaking up, hesitates to share ideas, or shuts down during tough conversations, psychological safety may be missing. In this episode, we explore what effective leaders do differently and why building a culture of psychological safety is essential for leadership development, team communication, and employee engagement. You'll learn how psychological safety drives better performance in

en

15:49

Why Leaders Avoid Change (And What It's Costing Your...

Crossroads + Catalysts: Leadership & Career Strategy... ·

2025/12/01

Why Leaders Avoid Change (And What It's Costing Your Credibility) Why do leaders avoid necessary change even when their teams bring solutions? The uncomfortable truth: you're not stalling because of timing or resources—you're stalling because accepting change feels like admitting your way wasn't working. For managers building leadership skills and credibility, understanding why you resist change is critical for career advancement and team trust. In this executive brief, discover why

en

24:39

Why Your Team Isn’t A High Performing One— (Even...

Crossroads + Catalysts: Leadership & Career Strategy... ·

2025/11/24

Why Your Team Isn’t A High Performing One— (Even Though Everyone’s Capable) Think you have a high-performing team? Here's an uncomfortable truth: 70-80% of leaders believe they lead high-performing teams, but only 20-30% of employees agree. For managers building leadership skills and team management capabilities, this perception gap is destroying your credibility and career advancement. If your team has capable people but isn't delivering exceptional results, the problem isn't your

en

22:49

Did Your 'Authenticity' Just Cost You a Promotion?

Crossroads + Catalysts: Leadership & Career Strategy... ·

2025/11/17

Did Your 'Authenticity' Just Cost You a Promotion? Are you using authenticity as an excuse for unprofessional behavior? For managers and leaders building leadership skills and executive presence, understanding the difference between authentic leadership and unprofessional conduct is critical for career advancement and leadership development. Authenticity has become the workplace buzzword everyone loves—until someone uses it to justify rudeness, emotional dumping, or lack of professional

en

21:57

Is Your Workplace Toxic or Are You Being Too...

Crossroads + Catalysts: Leadership & Career Strategy... ·

2025/11/10

Is Your Workplace Toxic or Are You Being Too Sensitive? Here's How to TellIs your workplace culture deteriorating and destroying team performance? Toxic workplace environments kill productivity, drive away top talent, and damage leadership credibility. For managers navigating toxic culture and building leadership skills in difficult environments, knowing how to recognize and address workplace toxicity is essential for career advancement. In this executive brief, discover the five warning signs

en

21:27

Ep. 36 How to Give Feedback That Actually Changes...

Crossroads + Catalysts: Leadership & Career Strategy... ·

2025/11/03

How to Give Feedback That Actually Changes Behavior: The Leadership Communication Skill Most Leaders MissYou've given the same feedback three times, and nothing's changed. The problem isn't your team—it's your feedback. In this executive brief, discover the proven framework for giving feedback that actually drives behavior change, why most leadership feedback fails, and how to communicate with clarity that sticks. Learn the specific communication techniques that separate effective

en

22:22

Ep. 35 Concise Leadership Communication: How to Stop...

Crossroads + Catalysts: Leadership & Career Strategy... ·

2025/10/27

Concise Leadership Communication: How to Stop Talking So Much and Get to the PointDo people's eyes glaze over when you start talking? Are your team meetings running long because you can't communicate concisely? Long-winded communication is destroying your leadership credibility and executive presence faster than you realize. Concise communication isn't just a nice-to-have skill—it's an essential leadership competency that separates effective leaders from those who ramble. In this

en

22:15

Ep. 34 The 5 Enemies of Effective Leadership (and How...

Crossroads + Catalysts: Leadership & Career Strategy... ·

2025/10/20

The 5 Enemies of Effective Leadership (and How to Defeat Them)Working hard as a leader but not getting the results or respect you deserve? Five internal enemies are quietly sabotaging your leadership effectiveness—and most leaders don't even realize they're losing the battle. In this executive brief, discover the five biggest threats to leadership success: indecisiveness, ego, ineffective communication, lack of awareness, and avoidance of conflict. Learn why these leadership mistakes destroy

en

23:36

Ep. 33 Strategic Networking for Career Advancement:...

Crossroads + Catalysts: Leadership & Career Strategy... ·

2025/10/13

Strategic Networking for Career Advancement: How to Build the Right ConnectionsTired of hearing "it's who you know" and feeling like you're at a disadvantage? Strategic networking isn't about luck, privilege, or being naturally social—it's a learnable leadership skill that everyday professionals can master. In this executive brief, discover how to build strategic professional relationships that accelerate career advancement and leadership development, even if you don't

en

19:47

Ep. 32 Wait, I'm THE Person? Embracing the Weight of...

Crossroads + Catalysts: Leadership & Career Strategy... ·

2025/10/06

The moment you realize you're no longer seeking answers but expected to provide them changes everything. In this executive brief, discover how to navigate the psychological transition from team member to leader, manager to director, or director to executive. Learn why the weight of leadership feels heavier than the prestige of the title, and how to embrace responsibility without pretending you have all the answers. Explore the three common responses to leadership transitions—and why only one

en

18:59

Ep. 31 3 Self-Advocacy Skills Every Leader Needs

Crossroads + Catalysts: Leadership & Career Strategy... ·

2025/09/29

3 Self-Advocacy Skills Every Leader NeedsTired of being passed over for promotions while less qualified colleagues advance? The most talented leaders don't always get promoted—the most visible ones do. In this executive brief, discover the three essential self-advocacy skills that separate leaders who get recognized from those who get overlooked. Learn how to own your wins without sounding boastful, request strategic feedback that positions you for advancement, and pursue stretch opportunities

en

19:04

Ep. 30 When Being Likeable Isn't Enough: The...

Crossroads + Catalysts: Leadership & Career Strategy... ·

2025/09/22

Are you the friendly leader your team works around instead of with? Many directors and managers excel at building relationships but struggle with the operational side of leadership—making decisions, solving problems, and driving results. In this executive brief, discover why being likeable without being effective creates a career ceiling, the three critical gaps that separate relationship builders from complete leaders, and a strategic framework for developing your operational leadership skills

en

16:23

Ep. 29 Why Leaders Avoid Conflict—And How It's...

Crossroads + Catalysts: Leadership & Career Strategy... ·

2025/09/15

Conflict avoidance is killing director and executive level careers, yet most leaders continue to dodge difficult conversations about performance issues and team problems. In this executive brief, discover why smart leaders avoid necessary conflicts, the hidden costs to your credibility and career advancement, and a strategic framework for addressing performance issues with confidence. Learn the three choices every leader faces when dealing with underperformers, plus immediate actions you can take in

en

18:37

Ep. 28 Breaking the Burnout Performance: Stop Making...

Crossroads + Catalysts: Leadership & Career Strategy... ·

2025/09/08

Burnout is not the same as overwork — and ignoring the signs can damage your leadership, career growth, and well-being. In this episode of Crossroads and Catalysts, I share how to recognize the real signs of burnout, why exhaustion has become a dangerous performance style, and how the “martyrdom complex” keeps professionals from setting healthy boundaries. Ep. 18 Overwork Share your thoughts and stories: Connect@crossroadsandcatalysts.com Join my waitlist for future email updates: The Crossroads

en

21:04

Ep. 27 Want to be a leader? Cultivate Awareness,...

Crossroads + Catalysts: Leadership & Career Strategy... ·

2025/09/01

Want to be a leader who makes an impact? In this follow-up to one of my most popular episodes, we dig deeper into three powerful traits every leader needs: awareness, accountability, and resolve. Awareness helps you see the bigger picture, accountability builds trust, and resolve ensures you face challenges head-on instead of avoiding them. Together, these qualities form the foundation of strong, effective leadership. If you’re ready to grow beyond the basics and lead with confidence, this episode

en

16:58

Ep. 26 The Problem with Consensus Leadership

Crossroads + Catalysts: Leadership & Career Strategy... ·

2025/08/25

Discover why consensus leadership might be holding your team back. In this episode, we explore the hidden costs of trying to get everyone to agree on every decision, from decision paralysis to accountability gaps. Learn when consensus works, when it doesn't, and practical alternatives that still honor your team's input while driving results. Perfect for managers, team leaders, and anyone navigating group decision-making in today's collaborative workplace. Get actionable strategies to

en

46 results

Similar Podcasts

TaxTalent.com The Golden Rule Podcast

Adam Golden

TaxTalent.com Podcast

Tony Santiago

Handelsblatt Crime - spannende Streitfälle der deutschen Wirtschaft

Ina Karabasz, Solveig Gode, Sönke Iwersen

Deffner und Zschäpitz – Der Wirtschafts-Talk von WELT

WELT

Black Box - La scatola nera della finanza

Guido Brera e Gian Luca Comandini -...